By DOTTY NIST
Longleaf Preserve, a large conservation development bordering Black Creek and the Nokuse Plantation private preservation/restoration area, was approved by the Walton County Board of County Commissioners (BCC) on Oct. 26.
Lloyd Blue, one of the developers of Longleaf Preserve, presented plans to the BCC at the regular meeting on that date at the South Walton Courthouse Annex.
Blue explained that the proposal was a revised plan for property that had previously been approved by the county in two development orders, along with an additional 700 acres. He explained that the new plans provide a reduction in density from the previous approvals.
The 2,443-acre site of the proposed development lies north of CR-3280 and south of Black Creek, approximately eight miles east of U.S. 331.
Proposed for the site were 740 single-family units and the ability to build 61,650 square feet of supporting public and/or commercial uses.
Blue commented that a minimum of 60-percent open space is required in order for a project to be considered a conservation development, and that 72- percent open space will be provided with Longleaf Preserve. He explained that all wetlands on the site are to be preserved and buffered.
Additional conservation-related improvements from the previous plans include buffers to facilitate controlled burning on Nokuse Plantation and moving lots further away from Black Creek to reduce impacts on the creek, Blue noted. Planned for the southern part of the property are an organic farm and a wellness center.
Longleaf Preserve was approved in a 4-0 vote by the BCC. The approval is contingent on the finalization of land use classification changes to portions of the property that were part of the Evaluation and Appraisal Report (EAR) amendments recently submitted to the state for review.